During the middle of the written exam.

[Nora, what’s wrong?]

I was just thinking, maybe I should’ve taken a better last look.

[Huh?]

I thought Cecily was focused on the question in front of her, yet she had the time to check on me.

Hey now, what’s this about? For the next-generation Great sage, Lady Cecily Travasta, is a problem like this child’s play?”

[What do you mean, “next-generation Great Sage”?]

Well, if you want to surpass him, you have no choice but to become a Great Sage yourself, right?

Of course, by him, I meant none other than Eivind Dahl. Honestly, I wished I had one last chance to speak with him. At the very least, I should’ve taken one last look at his face.

I can’t say I haven’t thought such things…

Ah, I see, there are some things that can only be realized after living 800 years. No matter how much you prepare, regrets will always linger.

[Nora?]

Come on, focus, focus!

When I forcefully cut off the conversation, Cecily reluctantly began writing on her answer sheet.

The sentences she spun made it difficult for me to not smile.

My eyes widened at the unexpected person before me.

My oh my, this is quite the big shot, isn’t it?

“Nice to make your acquaintance, is that accurate? Cecily Travasta.”

“Yes, I’m honored to make you acquaintance.”

Apparently, examinees were each brought to their own assigned rooms. Never would I have expected for the one waiting in this ordinary-looking room to be the director himself.

Eivind’s foster father, a slightly chubby man with a touch of gray in his hair just like in the summer.

Cecily gave this important figure a graceful curtsy before proudly lifting her head.

 “I am Cecily Travasta.”

When we met in the summer, Nora Noz was the one who was subjected to that harassment involving offensive magic.

Without doubt, this was Cecily’s first time directly speaking with the director.

Undaunted by the special one-on-one treatment, Cecily took the seat she was offered with a “Thank you.”

From there, I expected the usual safe questions such as, “What is your motivation for applying?” or the like.  No, instead, he placed his elbows on the table and leaned forward with broad, smiling grin.

“You wrote something quite interesting on your answer sheet just now, didn’t you.”

I shared those sentiments.

The exam consisted of a single, serious, question.

What is magic? Provide your own definition.

An exemplary answer would be something along the lines of, “An innate life force possessed by all beings. Its origin lies in one of the abilities bestowed upon humanity by the gods when we were born onto this earth. However, it is currently considered to be one of the components found in the bloodstream—”

…and so on, stringing together everything from mythology to modern magical theory in a suitably scholarly tone. That’s the typical approach to such questions.

However, Cecily’s answer was: Courage. The power to face forward and keep walking on your own two feet, no matter what hardships may stand in your way, even if you find yourself all alone in an unfamiliar place. I believe that kind of courage is what brings about miracles for us.

That was all. Her answer was so concise, it was no wonder she even had time to chat with me.

Moreover, that sort of idealistic philosophy was only acceptable in an era where “magic” still reflected the heart.

It was nonsense in today’s world, where it had become a more efficient and systematic discipline. Only someone from 800 years ago might believe that sort of reasoning.

…And Cecily should have been perfectly aware of that.

The director asked in a gentle tone, “Most students tend to describe the structure and composition of magical power as an energy source. That idea of yours, were you taught it by someone?”

By someone, he, of course, was referring to the great genius from long ago.

Cecily must’ve noticed too, but for some reason, she answered with a joyful expression.

“Yes!”

“Hoo… And what is your opinion on this person?”

Cecily’s answer to that question was powerful.

“She’s a very strong woman. She’s so powerful that she could restrain herself if she wanted to… but she always gives her all. She stands tall, and faces everything head-on.”

Ugh, what kind of embarrassing experience is this?

Why is she suddenly talking about me in her interview…?

But Cecily didn’t stop.

“Also, she’s a very kind woman. Even if she has to play the villain, even if she gets hurt—she doesn’t mind. She’s someone with a very big heart. Someday, I want to become a villainess like her. I want to become the kindest villainess of all, just like her.”

She thinks too highly of me, or maybe it was just the benefit from my years of experience.

Also, a kind-hearted villainess? What even is that? Isn’t that a contradiction?

I really, really want to tear that logic apart, but… I must endure, I must endure…

After all, this itchy, awkward feeling would pass over in just a little while more.

“I see… Then for you, meeting with that person was a truly good experience.”

“Yes!”

That answer was just too refreshingly cheerful… and unbelievably, the interview concluded with that.

“Well then, lastly, let’s measure your magical power with this crystal,” said the director, taking out a skull-sized crystal.

Even researchers, serving as part of a magical institution directly under the king’s patronage, needed to possess a minimum level of magical ability. That didn’t seem to have changed from the past to the present.

The standard value I’d heard beforehand was about 1.75 times the average level of magical power.

Eivind would easily surpass double the average, though it was unlikely he’d reach triple.

But what about Cecily, who until just a year ago was the “Withered Grass Lady”?

[Nora, watch over me.]

With those words, she raised her hand to the crystal and closed her eyes. Then, she gathered her magic power into her palm and shouted, “Come forth, my magic!”

Wait, hold on, who are you imitating!?

“Come forth”? What do you mean, come forth—your magical power is already inside you!

But… ah, my eyes are already tearing up.

If the crystal can shine this brightly just from imitating that “the Incorrigible Villainess”…

Then perhaps, I suppose you don’t need me anymore.

A tremendous amount of magical power swelled up from within Cecily.

However, perhaps because she was still inexperienced in controlling her magic, it overflowed beyond the crystal. Even so, if her magic were to be quantified, which was dense enough to be perceived even as it overflowed, then… wouldn’t it be on par with the Incorrigible Villainess?

At that moment, the director, who’d been watching with a smile, raised his voice.

“That’s enough! Stop right there!”

“I can still keep going!”

“That’s not it! Someone important to you—”

—It was probably already too late.

My voice couldn’t reach her anymore. Cecily’s magic had completely driven me away.

If I still had any magic motivation left in me, it might’ve been a different story, but as I was, I had no regrets.

Cecily had grown into an admirable young woman. I also had a wonderful and fun youth, too. I was so happy at having become friends with Anita. Even my not-so-honest older sister turned out to be quite cute.

Acting and singing in front of a crowd, and more than anything, the experience of creating a stage play together with everyone, that was a lot of fun.

At the sports festival, I was reminded, over and over, just how poor my athletic ability was.

When I went back home, I even tried enjoying myself by sitting on Papa’s lap and all.

And that mother’s love, lingering even after death… that really took me by surprise.

Even just watching that library date had my heart racing.

The royal maid experience, that was pretty thrilling too.

Even heartbreak… is a spice of youth, isn’t it? I had no idea it could be so painful.

So, really, there’s nothing left for me to regret.

More than anything, Cecily had become reliable.

Although it was a little earlier than our original promise, but…

Thank you for everything, Cecily.

Cecily must’ve finally noticed the sensation of my magic leaving her.

She frantically looked up at the empty air and shouted, “Nora…! Nora! Noraaa!”

She reached toward me, and I reached toward her in return.

But my hand could no longer touch her.

So in my last moments, I embraced her.

Goodbye, Cecily.

I couldn’t feel her warmth, and there was no way mine could reach her.

Even so, because I simply had to tell you one last thing—
to you, my precious, dear one.

I love you.

And thus, the Incorrigible Villainess, Nora Noz, disappeared.

Drawing to a close a life that had lasted more than 800 years, she listened to the cries of the person she loved most.

---

E/N: Translations slowed for a bit, but it should pick up again now.

Enjoy~

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